Battery hand lamp



May 27, 1.930. F, L. HuMx-:sToN n 1,760,410

I. BATTERY HAND LAMP Filed May 2l. 1927 j-V/ INVENTOR g of @MWI 23M, 9km

.f//s ATTORNEYS y i 15 `erall character described,

` `35 `assembly ofthe several parts,

.wflllamp-i` i wopresent invention;

v. ``1a1tamu=l May 21, 1930 NITE-D STATESPATENT om@ Fnnnnnrcx i.; Hulvinsroiv,

or NEW nAvnN,connncricur,`AssIGNo:a,13Y Mnsnn AssiGNMEN'rs, 1ro Wnvcnnsrnn nnen-Arme sans COMPANY, n conronarion Yor l Application `led May 21,

\ i invention l relates to battery hand lamps of the type including a casing for the a battery, a lamp bulbsurrounded by a suit- `able reflector, a switchmechanism for comc 5 pleting the electric circuit through the bulb,

glass for w 10 `corporating means for varying lor focusing the beam oflight projected `by-the lamp by varying the position `of the lamp bulb relative to `the reflector. f ,r

In hand lamp `focusingmeans of the genit has heretofore beenthe practice to maintain the battery in direct contact with the lamp socket, and to `move the battery with the lamp socket and the lamp bulb relative to the reflector and 20 the lamp casing in varying the character of 1 f the beam of. light. The present invention has for its principal objectthe provision of improved adjustable supporting means for the lamp socket, together with improved c 25 means for supporting and effecting electrical these means that the with` respect `to socket is moved connections with the battery, being combined in such a manner battery remains stationaryl the casing while the lamp l 3l" toobtain the desired focus ofthe lightbeam.

`Further objects of the invention are to i group the several elements compactly so that casing of minimumlength can be used, to provide s for economical manufacture and to provide for ready access to the various parts of the hand lamp mechanism,iin case repairs are necessary, and to `insure against short circuiting ofthe battery and inadvertentlighting of the Q Other. specific objects, a characteristic,"features of gbecome apparenti as progresses. i `Inadescribingthe invention in detail, reference-will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which; 1- y i a i r Figure lis a sectional side view of a hand if lamp embodying the focusing means of the advantages and the invention will thedescription thereof y BATTERY HAND LAMP 1927. `seria-.1 No. 193,149;

Fig sectional View takenalong the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and A Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lineB-S of Fig. l, and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the comprises, in general, acylindrical casing C, preferably `formed of sheet metal, a bottom end cap B having a screw threaded or other suitableconnection with the lower end of the casing, and a flared head H suitably secured to the upper end ofthe casing C 'as by therivets land carrying a retaining ring 2, an` end glass or lens 3, and a reflector 4. The reiector l is of substantially parabolic section, and is gripped at its outer edge between thelens 3, andan `annularsupportformed by the upper inturned edge 5 ofthehead-H. The lens 3 maybe plane as shown,\or may becurvedin any vsuitable manner. A reinforcing ring 6 is provided between the annular support `5` andthe retaining ring 2. `This reinforcing `ring may bein the form ofa piece of wirebent to form a loop, and inserted in a suitable annular recess 7 formed in theretainiiigring 2. This reinforcing ring, i when arranged in the manner described,.is. permanently associated with Vthe retaining ring 2 so that when the retaining ringis unscrewed, the reinforcing ring re# mains in` position in its annular grooveor seat. The reflector l isfirmly held against drawings, the hand lamp c the. support 5by the retaining ring `2, .which clamps `lens 3 against the rim of the reflector 4 and forces this rim into firm contact with the, annular support 5. The ring 6 forms a substantial support or reinforcing means for theouter end 5 ofthe head v The ha d lamp 1s provided withthe usual preferably composed a of` a plurality vofLdry cells 4arranged endto end inseries battery 8,

Iflfin thecap. 1

the largestcoil thereof in .aninternal groove The upper central terminal 12 of the battery 8 contacts with a metallic rivet 13 secured in the center of a disc shaped partition 14 of insulating material which is lixed with res ect to the casing C. The pressure exerted y the spring 10 on the lower end of the battery 8 maintains the terminal 12 in firm and continuous contact with the rivet 13. A U-shaped contact strip 19.l of resilient sheet metal is secured Vto theV partition 14 on its upper side by the rivet 13, and forms an electrical connection between the terminal 12 of the battery 8 andthe lamp socket, as hereinafter described. l y Y The partition 14 is circular in form, having a substantially rectangular opening or notch 15 at the edge thereof as shown in Fig. 3. An inwardly projecting circular ledge or extension 16 is provided in the wall of the casing C at a point just above the inner end of the battery 8, and the partition 14 is firmly clamped between this ledge and a resilient supporting ring 17which is expanded into a circular groove 18 in the casing wall as shown in Figs. land 3. It will be readily apparent that the means just described comprise an eilicient support for the partition 14, and the construction of these means enables the partition to be quickly and easily assembled in the casing without the aid of special tools or complicated fastening devices.l The ledge 16 `and the groove 18 are preferably formed integral with the casing wall as shown, and are easily pressed or turned from the sheet metal of which the casing is formed.

Any suitable type of switchmeans may be employed in connection with the hand lamp which, by

'of the present invention for controlling the flow of current through the lamp bulb. In

` the embodiment shown, a switch housing 2() is suitably secured tothe casing wall, and encloses a switch mechanism comprising a thumb actuated push button 21 at one end of a resilient conducting strip 22 which is readily secured in electrical connection with the housing by means of arivet 23. Astationary conducting strip 24 is secured within the casing wall by rivets 25 and is insulated from the casing by the insulatin strips 26 as shown in Figs. land 3. The conducting strip 24 extends upward through the notch or opening 15 inthe partition 14, and has an outwardly inclined: lower end 27 extending into the switch housing 20through an opening 28 in the wall of the casing C. When the button 21y is depressed into contact withlthe end 27 of the strip 24, an electric circuit is completed fromthe lower end of the battery 8, through the spring 10, the endvcap 11, `the casing C, `the strip 22 and button 21 to the strip 24. A carries a finger 30 the inward ypressure of the push button 21, is disengaged by 'a slot in the strip sliding thumb piece 29 22, permitting Vthe. thumb'piece 29 to be pushed forward to hold theswi-tch in closed condition for lighting the lamp continuously.

An incandescent lamp bulb 31 is threaded into a metal socket 32 which is electrically connected with the stationary conducting strip 24 by means of a radially extending conductor 33 which is in direct contact with the lamp f socket. A metallic rivet 34' passes through the bottom of the lamp socket 32 and serves to form an` electrical connection between the central terminal of the lamp and the resilient conducting strip 19.

The lamp socket 32 is carried by a threelegged support or spider 35, the three legs of which project through three slots 36 in the casing C in such a manner that the support can be moved longitudinally of the casing. The head H of the hand lamp is provided with screw threads 37 at the inner end thereof, and-a threaded ring 38 having an annular groove 39 therein is adapted to be screwed on to this threaded portion. 37 of the head I-l. rlhe projecting legs ofy the lamp socket su port extend through the slots 36 into the annular groove 39 within the ring 38, so that when this ring is turned the support 35 is causedvto move axially with respect to the casing C in one direction or the other,4 depending upon the direction of rotation of the ring 38 with respect to the casing C. The outerl ends of the legs of the support 35 are disposedvnearer to the battery than the portions which engage theadjusting ring 38.

An insulating washen 41 is provided in the base oi' the metal lamp socket 32 for the purpose of insulating` the socket from the central rivet 34. The conductor 33 encircles the rivet 34, but is insulatedtherefrom by a small insulating washer' 42. The support 35 is provided with a central opening into which is iitted a piece of insulating material 43. The insulation 43 is in the form of a washer encircling the rivet 34, and is 'preferably fixed relative to the support 35 in such a manner that rotation between these parts cannot take place. An insulating-washer 44 is provided for the purpose of insulating the conductor 33 from the support 35. A metallic washer 45 is providcd-under-the lower head of the rivet 34, and this washer and the rivet vare insulated from the support 35 by a washer' 46 of insulating material. A sleeve 50 of insulating material is preferably provided over the lamp socket 32 as shown, being retained in position by friction'al engagement withl `struck from the base of the lamp socket `32, this lug extending downwardly through Va `notch 48 in the conductor 133 and into` a depression 49 in the washer 43. In this manner, both the lamp socket 32 and the conductor 33 are permanently locked to the washer 43 and as this washer is rigidly fixed to the support 35, it is impossible for the socket or the conductor to turn from the proper position when includes. many advantageous features. The

\ a lamp compartment-,the battery being held` lamp socket is so supported that theposition i of the lamp bulb may be readily adjusted with respect to the reflector, thus varying the character of the light beam projected by the lamp. Although the lamp socket and bulb are readily adjustable, the battery is retained stationary at all times, and the electric conf t nections `to the battery andbetween thecells thereof are therefore permanently maintained.` The partition I4 serves to divide the lamp casing into a battery compartment and stationary on one side of this partition, whereas the lamp and its socket are adjustably mounted on the other side of the partiin, a lamp socket, means for adjustably sup-` i `porting said socket in the openingof said in said casing, a

a partition resting on said'ledve tion. rlhe various parts of the hand lamp are `so constructed and arranged that they can be easily and cheaply manufactured and readily assembled. f

y lthough the present invention has been described in connection with a single specific construction of hand lamp, it is to be under-` stood thatthe invention is equally applicable to hand lamps of various types other than that disclosed. Various changes in the details of construction can be made and various parts can be modified or omitted without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: l. In a hand` lamp, a casing, a battery within said casing, a reflector fixed in one end of said casing and having an opening therereflector to move relative to said reflector, an inwardly extending ledge on the wall of said casing between said battery and said socket,

gc, conducting means extending through said partition for electrical connection with said battery, and

`an expansible spring member iixedto said conducting means and electrically connecting said lamp socket to said conducting means.

2. In a hand lamp, acasing, a lamp bulb adjustably mounted in said casing, a battery ledge on the inner wall of said casing between said bulb and said battery, an insulating partition resting on said i the casing wall parallel to ledgje..y a groove in saidledge and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said partition, a resilient split ring in said groove for clamping said partition in engagement with said ledge, conducting means extending through said partition and engaging the central terminal of said battery, and a resilient `conducting spring fixed to said partition by said conducting means and engaging said lamp socket, said spring and said conducting means electrically connecting said lamp socket to said battery terminal regardless of adjustable movement of said lamp socket.

one end of said casing, a lamp socket adjustably supported adjacent to opening in said reflector, a partition in said casing adjacent said lamp socket, spaced inwardly extending means for fixing said Apartition against movement relative to said casing, a

battery in said casing on the opposite side of said partition from said lamp socket, conducting means passing through said partition and engaging a terminal of said battery, and a resilient conducting member secured to said partition in engagement with said conducting means and with said lamp socket for completing an electrical connection between said battery terminal and said socket.

4. In a hand lamp, a tubular casing, a lamp bulb adjustably mounted in one end of said casing, a partition for .dividing said casing into a battery compartment and a lamp compartment, and means for supporting said partition in said casing comprising a circular ledge on the inner wall of said casing for engagement with one side of said partition, a

circular groove in said wall parallel to said ledge and spaced therefrom, a resilient split ring expanded into said groove and engaging the other side of said partition, conducting means extending through said partition and engaging a terminalof said battery, and a spring in said lamp compartment fixed to said conducting meansand electrically connecting said lamp bulb to said conducting means.

t3. VIn a hand lamp, a casing, a battery and reflector coaxially arranged and retained in fixedpositions with respect to `each other, a

flainp support within the casing, a socket carried by said lamp support, means encircling and threadedto the front of said casing for moving said lamp support with respect to said reflector and battery to change the spread of the beam of light delivered by said`lamp,

a connecting member extending through said support into the bottom of said socket, said member being insulated from` said'support and said socket, and a resilient connection between said connecting memberand the positive pole of said battery.` i

. In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK L. HUMESTON.

In a hand lamp, a tubular` casing, a i reflectorhaving an opening therein xed in iio 

